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Do I Need a Phosphate Remover for My Pool?

Maybe. Phosphates are food for algae, and a phosphate remover takes that food away. But if your chlorine is in range and algae is not a problem, you probably do not need one. A phosphate remover is worth it when phosphates test high and you keep fighting algae or burning through chlorine. Dust, leaves, and fertilizer bring phosphates into Bakersfield pools all year. Top Dog's free water test includes phosphate.
Pentair variable-speed pool pump sold and installed by Top Dog Pool Supply in Bakersfield

Where do phosphates come from?

  • Dust and dirt blown in by wind.
  • Leaves, grass clippings, and other plant debris.
  • Lawn and garden fertilizer carried in by wind, feet, or sprinklers.
  • Some fill water and some pool chemicals.
  • Sweat, sunscreen, and other things swimmers bring in.

When is a phosphate remover worth using?

  • Phosphates test high and algae keeps coming back.
  • Your pool uses far more chlorine than it should.
  • After a wind storm, heavy leaf fall, or an algae cleanup.
  • You have a salt pool that struggles to keep up in summer.
If chlorine holds and the water stays clear, you can usually skip it. Chlorine, filtration, and brushing come first.

How do I use a phosphate remover?

  • Step 1: Get a water test that includes phosphate.
  • Step 2: Clear any algae first. Phosphate remover does not kill algae.
  • Step 3: Add the remover with the pump running, following the label for your pool size. We carry Orenda PR-10,000.
  • Step 4: Expect the water to turn cloudy for a day or so. That is the phosphate dropping out.
  • Step 5: Keep the pump running, then clean the filter.
  • Step 6: Retest, and repeat if the level is still high.

When should I bring in a water sample?

Bring a sample if algae keeps returning, if chlorine disappears faster than it should, or after any big storm. We test phosphate along with chlorine and stabilizer, so you can see whether phosphates are the problem or something else is. If you want one product for both phosphates and oils, ask us about Orenda CV-700, which combines an enzyme with a phosphate remover.

Do phosphates cause algae?

No. They feed it. Algae starts when chlorine is too low, and phosphates help it grow faster.

What phosphate level is too high?

The lower the better. If your test shows a high reading and you are fighting algae or high chlorine use, it is worth treating. We will tell you where your pool stands.

Will a phosphate remover clear a green pool?

No. Kill the algae with chlorine first. Removing phosphates afterward makes it harder for algae to come back.

Why did my pool get cloudy after adding phosphate remover?

That is normal. The remover binds the phosphate into particles that cloud the water until the filter catches them. Run the pump and clean the filter.

Don't cry, we can help

Bring a water sample to Top Dog Pool Supply. Local pool owners get a free water test on our Taylor Xpress Flex system, and we'll tell you what to add, and how much, for your pool's size. Visit us at 7440 District Blvd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93313, or call (661) 664-9000. We're open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 9 to 4, and Sundays 10 to 4 from April through September.

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ADDRESS
7440 District Blvd Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 664-9000
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Service Area
Bakersfield, CA, with Zip Codes 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, and 93314 HOURS Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm Sat: 9am–4pm Sun: 10am–4pm (April–September)
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